Microcredits. A Neo-Gramscian Critique by the Example of Microcredits in Bangladesh

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Microcredits - A Definition

3. Bangladesh, the Centre of Microcredits
3.1 Bangladesh’s Economic Environment
3.2 The Role of NGOs and Microfinance in Bangladesh

4. The Fundamentals of Neo-Gramscianism by Robert W. Cox
4.1 The Basic Ideas of Antonio Gramsci
4.2 Further Development by Robert W. Cox
4.3 The Process of Trasformiso
4.4 NGOs as Transnational Communities
4.5 Assimilation of Third World Protagonists

5. Microcredits’ Goal of Women Empowerment
5.1 Empowering Women Through Entrepreneurship
5.2 Household Control
5.3 Focus on Income-Generating Activities
5.3.1 Microcredits’ High Interest Rates
5.3.2 Subsidization of Microcredits as Possible Solution
5.4 The Group Lending Factor

6. Microcredits - Suitable to Reach the Poorest?
6.1 Replication of Findings
6.2 Waterfall Strategies to Overcome Micro Debt

7. Microcredits’ Neoliberal Environment
7.1 In Pursuit of the Hegemonic Policy
7.1.1 Multinationals’ Advantage of Investing in Microcredit Programmes ...
7.1.2 NGOs' Dependence on the International Capital Market
7.1.3 Third World Countries’ Lack of Participation
7.2 Microcredits’ Failure to Engage in Social Mobilization
7.2.1 NGOs’ Counter-Hegemonic Potential
7.2.2 Better Performance of Social Mobilization NGOs
7.2.3 The Gender and Food Caravan

8. Conclusion
8.1 The Neo-Gramscian Verdict
8.2 Strengths and Weaknesses of Neo-Gramscianism

Bibliography